Alpine Township Pastor Serves as Local Reserves Chaplain

ALPINE TOWNSHIP — With a 75,000-pound payload capacity, crewmembers aboard B-1B Lancers zoom at supersonic speeds to carry out strategic bombing missions in support of the war in Afghanistan.
But when the roar of the engines die down, U.S. crews of the swept-wing jet may face a conflict of another kind when they return home — one that’s more personal.
That’s when U.S. Air Force reserve chaplain, the Rev. Mark Bowditch, may be asked to step in and help.
“It’s a big celebration when they return but, like the veneer that wears off, they’ve got issues that arise,” said Bowditch, 45, a reserve Air Force Protestant chaplain for 12 years and senior pastor of Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Alpine Township. Click here to continue.

*Photo by Adam Bird - The Grand Rapids Press

Honoring Our Service Men and Women

A brief ceremony was conducted at Pine Grove Cemetery today honoring those men and women who served in the military and now rest in one of our three cemeteries. Participating were members of Boy Scout Troop 223 and The American Legion, Furniture City Post #258. The boy scouts raised the flag, and placed a wreath by the flag. The Honor Guard of the American Legion performed the gun salute and played taps. Doug Compton, Senior Pastor at Alpine Baptist Church shared a brief message and led in prayer. Supervisor Alex Arends, Treasurer James Townsend, and Clerk Jean Wahlfield shared in the reading of the names of all those veterans burried in Alpine Township maintained cemeteries. The rain stopped just long enough to allow this, the 20th Memorial Day Service, to go on as scheduled.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 223

Some families enjoyed a re-union

Pastor Compton (Center) with Kent and Erin Beuschel

Refreshments following the program

A few of those who attended

If it is Sunday it is Futbol

More Futbol at the Alpine TownshipSports Complex on a sunny hot afternoon.

Football or Headball?

Preparing the attack

A spectacular save!

There to support their players

Memorial Day Weekend

Visiting the three cemeteries that Alpine Township maintains, there are plenty of American flags honoring the 164 veterans burried in the three cemeteries.

Pine Grove Cemetery. There will be a brief ceremony there at 11:00 am recognizing the men and women who served their country in the military.

Englishville Cemetery

Some of the Veterans at Englishville

Alpine Center Cemetery

Ed and Phyllis Tikanen at Alpine Center Cemetery. Ed is a a former Alpine Township Supervisor

Fire Destroys Row of 24 Garages in York Creek

Late last night, a fire broke out in a row of garages at York Creek Apartment damaging the entire unit and all content. The fire was kept from spreading to apartment units and other garage units. Alpine fire fighters were on the scene as well as units and personnel from Plainfield and Walker. While there was significant property damage, there were no known injuries. Hats off to Alpine Township Fire Fighters and those who responded from neighboring communities.

In a statement released Friday morning, York Creek officials said they were "grateful to the Alpine Township Fire Department, as well as the fire rescue units that responded from Plainfield Township and Walker, for their swift actions to extinguish the garage fire. We are relieved to know that no one was injured." They added the fire appears to have "started in one of the middle units of the 24-garage structure. Five cars have been severely affected. A safety fence is being installed until the investigation is complete."

Photo by Rick Mitchell Jr.

A full moon watching over the fire fighters

The morning after...a row of 24 garages completely destroyed.

Rotary Chickens and Memorial Day Service

The Comstock Park Rotary hosted the first of three Barbequed Chicken Dinners scheduled for Dwight Lydell park in 2010. The weather was perfect and brought out many supporters both at lunch and early evening.

Many Alpine Township residents support the Rotary. Seen here up front are Millie Dolphin and Ed Bowe.

20th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

On Monday, May 31, 2010 at 11:00, there will be a brief Memorial Day Service at Pine Grove Cemetery, 6200 Vinton Ave NW in Comstock Park to honor not only those who died while serving their country but all the veterans who are buried in Alpine Center, Englishville, and Pine Grove Cemeteries.

The Reverend Doug Compton, Senior Pastor at Alpine Ave. Baptist Church will be officiating and Township elected officials, Boy Scout Troop #223 from Comstock Park, and members of Furniture City Post 258 of the American Legion will be participating.

All are welcome to attend. It is suggested you bring a lawn chair.

Country Scene

Looking from Alpine Church Rd, by Holy Trinity Church, at Brechting farms on 6 Mile Rd.

Soccer Match

It turned out to be a beautiful warm afternoon with a few threatening clouds that were eventually replaced by sunshine. At the Alpine Recreational Complex, there was a great game scheduled between ColombieMex SAS, a local soccer team, and the Panthers of Morton College, located in Cicero Illinois, near Chicago. The final score was Morton Panthers 3 - Columbie Mex 1.

ColumbieMex, a local soccer team from our Sunday LeagueUp in the air for the ball

Meanwhile the little ones had a place to play.

Comstock Park Scholars Honored by Rotary

Three Comstock Park High School students were honored at the Comstock Park Rotary meeting today as outstanding students. Mary Lehman, a junior, received a scholarship for the Rotary Life Leadership program which will be conducted in Cadillac later this year. Justine Bryant, who hopes to become an interpreter for the hairing impaired, received a $750 scholarship for tuition at Grand Rapids Community College. Allison Shumakler, who hoped to become a teacher, received a $750 scholarship towards tuition at Grand Vallet State College. Joining them at lunch at the Comstock Park Rotary Luncheon was Comstock Park School Counselor Gary Holland. Next week the Comstock Park Rotary hopes to honor Kenowa Hills High School students.

From left to right, Mary Lehman, Justine Bryant and Allison Shumaker.

Alpine Township Community Center

The Horseshoe League made up of many of our local residents continues to play behind the Alpine Township Community Building. These guys have been at it for about 19 years now and come back each year for the game and for fellowship.

This is serious business

The league keeps on growing in size

Accuracy


Relaxing after some tough competition

Meanwhile inside, members of the Ridge Economic Agricultural Partners (REAP) were listening to a presentation by Jonathan Mast, Internet Strategist with MMJ Technology LLC. 2855 44th SW in Grandville. Members present were educated on the different types of marketing and networking tools over the internet. Covered were Web Sites, Blogs, Facebook, Tweeter and more.

In addition to the election of officers, members voted to have MMJ Technology help the non profit organization redesign the REAP web site.

Some of the members present at the meeting

Always young enough to learn

Signs that Summer is Coming

There are certain things that announce the arrival of Spring; birds singing, green grass and trees, but what are some of the signs in Alpine Township that summer is around the corner?

Everyone knows it is when the Back Porch opens. The Back Porch is located directly behind the Swan Inn Restaurant on the corner of Alpine Ave. and Six Mile. It is a favorite place for young and old

This family from Sparta has been waiting for months for the Back Porch to open this season.

These folks from Grand Haven knew exactly where to stop for great ice cream

Another sign that summer is coming is the Boaters Education class conducted by the Kent County Sheriff's Department and hosted by Alpine Township.

Kent County Sheriff Deputy Nate Ertle (you can't miss him in the back) and his second boaters safety class in Alpine Township this month.

Free Child Safety Inspection - Hansen Collission

Ever wonder if your child is riding safe? Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be available to help answer your questions and check your car seat. A limited number of replacement car seats and booster seats will be available at a discounted price the day of the event. If you have questions please contact Safe Kids at 616.391.7233.

On Saturday, May 22d, drop in at Hansen Collission, 5707 Alpine Ave between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm for a free inspection. Click on title for more information.

Sunday at the Sports Complex

Good Game

Good Fans

Good Food

Good Friends

Good View

Comstock Park shines at District 6290 Rotary Convention

The Comstock Park Rotary Club was pleased to be able to play a part in the District 6290 Rotary Convention hosted by the Grand Rapids Rotary Club and District 6290 Governor John Salan (GR Rotary Member) for the 2010 District Conference, May 13th through the 16th. Conference activities are taking place in the historic Amway Grand Plaza located on the scenic Grand River in beautiful downtown Grand Rapids. Hundreds of Rotarians gathered for training and fellowship. A dozen Comstock Park Rotarians attended Friday's lunch and hosted a booth to promote World Wide Immunization in an effort to irradicate polio word wide.

After Friday's program, members had the opportunity to enjoy a White Caps ball game at Fifth Third Ball Park right here in Comstock Park. Members were transported by bus to the ball park but made a stop at Grotto Park first, where they were greeted by members of the Comstock Park Rotary Club, which sponsored the $300,000 renovation project of the park located in North Park adjacent to the Veteran's Facility. Comstock Park was also the only chapter to host a booth at the ball park, displaying Grotto Park and announcing Phase II of the project, which is an $80,000 fund drive to make further restorations to the facility. Those who attended had a great time and got a great taste of Grand Rapids, West Michigan, and also Comstock Park.

Pictures. Top left, Dan Clark, Clarck.s Landscaping. On right, Kent Gagnon, Mercantile Bank, Dana Quick, Edward Jones, Bottom left: One of our tables was graced by the presence of Terri Land, current Michigan Secretary of State,

Sharon Steffens, Past Alpine Township Supervisor and incoming president of the Comstock Park Rotary Club, explainining the Purple Pinky program at the general assembly at the Amway.

Comstock Park Rotary President Tom Bereza, (left) and Todd Vanden Toorn displaying their purple pinkies to bring awareness to the eradication of polio.

Enjoying West Michigan Hospitality at the Ball Park.

Eleanore Bereza explaining projects completed at Grotto Park.

There was a large delegation from Norway and several representatives from other countries many countries including Afghanistan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Comstock Park Rotary meets every Thursday at Noon at the Swan Inn, 5182 Alpine Ave N.W. in Alpine Township.